Oceania

Tension In French

Assembly Party Hostile to Government

FT is difficult to assess the merits L of a sharp political dispute which is causing some tension in french Oceania.

There was an election there lately; ,nd two main parties appear to tave entered the Assemblee Terri oriale —a majority party, led by a 'ahitian Radical named Pouvanaa Oopa, which is Leftist, nationalist nd somewhat anti-European; and minority party, led by M. Alfred ►oroi, Mayor of Papeete, which upports the present French Gov rnment.

The Assembly held its inaugural leeting on March 14. The Gov rnor, M. Petitbon —regarded as a trong man—observed the usual eremonies, inspecting a guard of larines, Army and Gendarmerie, nd being attended by Government fficials and other prominent people.

It was known that the Governor, n the previous day, had received a *tter informing him that Opposi on members of the Assembly did ot desire his presence at the first leeting. However, following the eremonies outside, the Governor ntered the hall and was saluted i the usual way by the new and le retiring members. He made the istomary speech, and then retired rom the gathering.

Two days later, on March 16, the ssemblee (which has 25 members) let again and elected Monsieur erusalemy Jean-Baptiste Ceran as resident: Messrs. Ilari Noel and maru Terii Tepa, as Vice Pre dents; and Monsieur Rene Raphael agarde as Secretary. All are mem ers of Pouvanaa a Oopa’s group I 18 representatives.

The majority group, on this day, immenced proceedings without waiting for the arrival of the ecretary-General, M. Sully. The itter, on expressing surprise that le meeting was under way when 3 entered was told by the President lat he should arrive on time.

It is reported that debate, within le Assembly on this and the fol iwing day, was “bitter and heated, ith personalities introduced.”

On March 27, the two opposing roups in the Assemblee sent tele rams to Paris. Pouvanaa a Oopa’s roup demanded the expulsion of le Secretary-General, M. Poroi’s roup insisted that the other tele ram should be ignored.

On March 28, the Assemblee ected, as Senator, Dr. J. Florisson, i succession to M. Lassalle-Sere, ho has been Senator for many Bars, and prominent in the affairs I the French Pacific Territories.